Thursday after Ash Wednesday, March 6, 2014
May leaders of nations choose life for their people;
-that all may have employment, food and shelter for their families.
May all peoples of this earth choose life for our planet;
-that our natural resources be preserved and all species continue to exist. People’s Companion to the Breviary,1997, The Camelites of Indianapolis
These petitions from today’s morning prayer hit me hard. Our church’s overnight shelter is closing in 9 days, and some of our guests still do not have housing. They are much on my mind and heart these days, as we pray that the terrible cold of this winter will end before we must close our doors.
And knowing that the changing climate, and its increasing fury and volatility, is due to our refusal to curb our appetites and care for God’s creation has not made it easier to bear. Some days I simply feel like wailing and beating my breast and tearing my clothes. Our forebears knew how to translate feeling into tangible reality! I admit I often feel that my prayer for the poor and the life of our planet seems so ephemeral and wispy—not really having any weight or worth. Sometimes it’s hard to keep praying.
And then I remember that the Dean of my Seminary once said that the most important thing I will ever do as a priest is show up. Just – show up.
I have neither the means nor the power to solve singlehandedly the problems of poverty and an abused planet, but I can pray. Even when I feel no response from the God I know loves me – I can be faithful in prayer. Even when I see the destruction of species and wonder if my grandchildren will know the beautiful earth I have known – I still must show up, and pray. I must do what God has given me to do, never knowing what difference it may make, and letting go of my need to think I am in control. All God calls me to do is – show up. That I can do.
May leaders of nations choose life for their people;
-that all may have employment, food and shelter for their families.
May all peoples of this earth choose life for our planet;
-that our natural resources be preserved and all species continue to exist. People’s Companion to the Breviary,1997, The Camelites of Indianapolis
These petitions from today’s morning prayer hit me hard. Our church’s overnight shelter is closing in 9 days, and some of our guests still do not have housing. They are much on my mind and heart these days, as we pray that the terrible cold of this winter will end before we must close our doors.
And knowing that the changing climate, and its increasing fury and volatility, is due to our refusal to curb our appetites and care for God’s creation has not made it easier to bear. Some days I simply feel like wailing and beating my breast and tearing my clothes. Our forebears knew how to translate feeling into tangible reality! I admit I often feel that my prayer for the poor and the life of our planet seems so ephemeral and wispy—not really having any weight or worth. Sometimes it’s hard to keep praying.
And then I remember that the Dean of my Seminary once said that the most important thing I will ever do as a priest is show up. Just – show up.
I have neither the means nor the power to solve singlehandedly the problems of poverty and an abused planet, but I can pray. Even when I feel no response from the God I know loves me – I can be faithful in prayer. Even when I see the destruction of species and wonder if my grandchildren will know the beautiful earth I have known – I still must show up, and pray. I must do what God has given me to do, never knowing what difference it may make, and letting go of my need to think I am in control. All God calls me to do is – show up. That I can do.
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